Ben Davidson is one of nine Bronco runners set to compete at 10 kilometers in Arkansas.

Sep 29, 2017

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Santa Clara cross country is set for its only split-squad day of the fall on Saturday. The Broncos have nine men's runners slated for the Chile Pepper Festival in Fayetteville, Arkansas as well as nine men and four women in the field at the Capital Cross Challenge in Sacramento, California.

The Bronco men tallied 24 points in the 6-kilometer race while the Gaels had 38. The Bronco women finished with 25 points and Saint Mary's totaled 36 in the 5-kilometer race. Jack Davidson and Emma Eikelberner were the team's top finishers.

MEN REGIONALLY RANKED

Men's cross country is off to a strong start through two meets in 2017, and the Broncos have reached the highest USTFCCCA regional ranking in program history. Santa Clara checks in at No. 13 in the week three poll, released Monday.

The team's prior highest ranking was No. 14, a spot Santa Clara held for five straight weeks at the beginning of the 2014 season. The Broncos have earned a spot in the regional rankings for the second straight season and three of the last four years.

QUOTABLE

"Racing in Arkansas will be a great test for our men, with some regionally ranked teams in the field. Our intent is to test ourselves in a big field and work on being aggressive and disciplined."

"I think one of our strengths this year is roster depth, and having a second squad racing in Sacramento could highlight that. We are approaching Sacramento the same way we are with Arkansas. Those guys staying home are hungry to compete and they'll have a competitive field to race. I think that group can mix it up."